The heads of the studios, like Louis B. Mayer, didn't want to create any more musical stars. So Bobby [Fosse] left and went to New York City to be a choreographer, and created brilliant work.

I miss the movies. Still, I understood that my kind of movie has had its day. I thought it was over for me.

I began as a true beginner, not knowing how to dance or perform. I just entered a local contest in town as a joke, because if you entered you got a free blouse and scarf.

Donald O'Connor was in the film [ 'Singin' in the Rain' ] as well, and he was only 27 years old. So we were closer in age, and had more fun together on the set. Gene was more my teacher and mentor.

I think people want to stay home and run movies with their whole family at home. It become a family hobby instead of going out to the theater, sad to say. But I think it's very good because it reaches millions that would never see these movies.

Gene Kelly was a great dancer and I was lucky to be in 'Singin' in the Rain.' He was my teacher when I was 17 years old, when he was 37 years old. He taught me everything.

I always found that kind of hard, and even though Gene Kelly was also a taskmaster, Bobby [Fosse] was tougher.